[Zoinks]

I've had the 9000 since it was relased. Love the phone, HATE the 3G reception. To this end, I've been forced to switch to EDGE for daily use.

Does the 9700 have an updated 3G chip? Is the reception improved or at least decent?

I realize that ATT's network is mostly to blame, but my phone is a company issue.

Thanks

[Dubdub]

All depends on where you are. In real estate, it is location, location, location. Same with cell coverage. My guess is if you plan on using the 9700 in the same places as the 9000, you will get similar service.

Some claim an OS update helps, but if you are using a company device, let them do the updates for you.

My house is in a "white hole for ATT. Can't get much of a signal within 50 feet of the house, one or maybe 2 bars 3G at best. Outside of 50 fet, 3 to 5 bars, solid 3G.

[Zoinks]

Still looking to determine if the 3g chip is updated. Don't know if this helps the new device get the longer battery life or if it's merely OS 5.0.

Regardless, I'm headed out to pick one up now. Can't be worse, right?

[Dubdub]

Battery life depends on the amount of use and the apps running in the background. And if you are constantly searching for 3G, that takes lot of battery.

Almost too many variables there to make an easy determination.

[Zoinks]

Had my first real day with the 9700 today. From a work standpoint, I'd call it a busy day too so I was able to test the phone out.

I like the phone so far. Only knock on it so far is the size. It feels almost too small. Moving from a Curve to the Bold was the opposite experience, but I'll get over it with time.

As for reception, initial impressions are more than good. I've been in the same building for over a decade so I've discovered all the deadzones including ones that are unavoidable (elevators, hallways, parking garage). Haven't dropped a call yet. Better still, no garble or handshaking down to EDGE.

It's still to early to say it is superior to the 9000 in my area, but it's looking promising.

[ifonline]

I have no idea if the 3G radio is different in the 9700 than in the 9000, but Dubdub is right on the money: it matters more where you are located with regards to AT&T 3G coverage. In metro Atlanta, where I am, I have great coverage and no problems. Get further away from metro Atlanta, however, and the 3G coverage drops off quickly. In other words: some people love AT&T 3G coverage, while others hate it.

As for battery life, my understanding is that the OS on the 9700 contains a re-written radio stack that offers better efficiency, hence the better battery life. That may translate into better 3G reception, but I have no idea.

[kurizma]

i haven't used my original bold in a few months after switching to the curve 8900. Coverage for me in the bay area was very spotty and my battery was killed switching back and forth between 2g and 3g. Browsing was a pain.

On the new bold 9700, it's been awesome. virtually no lag and i actually enjoy browsing the internet on it. I haven't seen it switch to EDGE since i've had it the past week. Who knows though, maybe they upgraded their network around here.

oh, and battery life has been amazing compared to the old bold. I go without charging for 2 days with Yahoo! messenger logged in 24/7.

[canvasback13]

i drop a lot of calls while driving longer distances with my 9000. I wonder if it happens when a different tower begins picking me up. I drop a lot more calls than I did with a pearl. It is very annoying

[mrgm]

here in abilene, tx 3G cell reception is excellent. rarely see less than 3 bars (outskirts), always at 4-5 bars around town. internet and downloading is always fast. I do think the browser on the new bold does come up and surf faster. My reception is fairly good when I head around/ thru DFW.

[curriertech]

Everywhere I've been since I had a 3G device, 3G > 2G for call quality.

[Zoinks]

I'm still sticking with my observation that the 9700 has better reception in my neck of the woods.

[zeiferx]

its all a matter on how many bars u have ... full bars ou good all works fine... 3 bars or less you will probably feel delays and calls take sometime to process. AT&T coverage is a joke, but the give us the phones we want so ... for now we just have to deal with eat.
i drive up and down the north jersey and NYC Area and its as i said... overall is kinf of OK

[msteadman]

Wirelessly posted

As everyone else has mentioned it is highly location dependent. That said, I do seem to get better coverage since switching from my 9000 to the 9700. No dropped calls as of yet and I would get them pretty often with my 9000. Also my 9700 rarely switches to EDGE, while my 9000 did quite often.

These changes may be attributed to the fact that I installed various beta OS's (with various radio files) on my 9000. On the 9700 I am still running the official AT&T release which the device shipped with.

[segeln4me]

I travel in rural areas quite a bit. The reception is excellent weather on 3G, EDGE or GPRS. I also have an iPhone 3GS for personal use and both run on AT&T. The 9700 has much better reception than the iPhone on the same network. In fact, in some rural areas, I will have four bars and EDGE on the 9700 and the iPhone is searching not finding a signal.

[nuangel1]

in my area, boston ,it works great .very happy with 3g

[joju58]

i have strong full bars with 3g in my basement, on my previous Verizon's 8830 i had no signal at all, very happy with at&t because of that, I'm spending almost all day in basement where my office is